How to be a healthy school

Healthy Northland helps create health where we live, work, learn and play. Little by little schools are making changes to create a healthy environment for youth. Elementary schools in Koochiching County, Keewatin, Moose Lake, and Esko all participated in anactive classroom study. Young students in Two Harbors swapped sweet treats to provide warm feet during a sock drive around Halloween. And children in Grand Marais are eatingfresh vegetables in January!

Schools all over the country are increasingly seeing the benefits of a comprehensivewellness policy that supports a healthy school environment. Research clearly demonstrates that attendance and academic performance are closely linked to good nutrition and physical activity; simply put healthy active kids learn better.

Many schools are taking a comprehensive look at the following steps and strategies:

Healthy Eating
Increase access and availability of healthy food in schools through the following activities:
☐ Working on engagement or assessment, activities to be determined
☐ Farm to School
☐ School-based agriculture
☐ Healthy snacks outside of the school day through vending, concessions, school stores or snack carts
☐ Healthy school fundraisers
☐ Healthy snacks during the school day through celebrations, special events or non-food rewards.☐ Smarter Lunchroom techniques through such behavioral economic activities including, but not limited to competitive pricing, product enhancements